Cankerworms finally hatching and dangling from trees

Cankerworm egg mass. Photo: SD Frank

I have been monitoring several cankerworm egg masses on campus but the cool weather has prevented them from hatching. Yesterday while out collecting scale insects I finally saw young cankerworms hanging from willow oaks and nibbling on their leaves. I have written articles and other blog posts about cankerworm biology and management. Two years a go we tested simple sticky bands as tools for protecting trees from cankerworms. This year we are testing different injectable insecticides to reduce defoliation on some campus trees. Its impossible (and unnecessary) to protect every tree from cankerworms every year. However, if the same tree is defoliated a couple years in a row it could really reduce that tree’s health. So, it is good to have options available to protect trees as needed. Stay tuned for more on this project.